Stuffed Bittermelon Soup / Canh Khổ Qua

Let’s collectively unpack some of the childhood trauma together y’all! Like many Vietnamese kids, I absolutely hated this bittermelon soup; whenever my mom made it, I’d always pick out the meatballs, discard the bittermelon, and never touch the soup. As a kid, the bitter notes just weren’t a taste I was particularly fond of. However, as you get older and your palate develops, the bitterness grows on you just a little bit. Apparently, the older you are, the better it tastes!

What Does Khổ Qua Mean?

I actually called it mướp đắng growing up, which is the Southern Vietnamese word for it. In Northern Vietnam, it’s actually called kho qua. The name itself is pretty iconic, to be honest.

The literal translation is:
Kho = Hardships or difficulty
Qua = Passed or away

So, when you put it together, it means that the suffering that you’re put through will eventually pass.

Why is Stuffed Bittermelon Soup Eaten During the Lunar New Year?

This dish aligns with its name, often enjoyed during Tet to symbolize leaving behind the challenges of the past year and embracing a fresh start for the new year.

Make sure you check out the recipe of my favorite Lunar New Year recipes, too!